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Monday, July 31, 2006

Standing on God's Word

Church this morning was good. Not only because I got to sit through the whole service (with a 15 month old, this is a rarity!!), but it was very timely for me. We need to do our best for God to be allowed to do His best.

My best may not be your best, we need to excel, to go beyond all previous efforts. Something that I really need to excel in is being in the Word and the Word being in me. I am one of those people, that when friends are in need of support, or we are talking about different things, or getting Sunday school curriculum ready, I am totally in there, looking up scripture references, filling everyone else with encouragement.

It came to my attention last night (thanks God;-), late, when chatting with a friend, that I tend to wallow in my sorrows. When something has made me upset, I would rather just sit at home and get depressed. I am not good enough, so why bother? BUT when a friend is in the same situation, I pull up Biblegateway and find all kinds of scripture to lift them up, help them out of their hole and their despair.

What is that about? Am I the only one who does this? I have decided, after that revelation of how I handle situations and the service today, that this is the area that I am going to start excelling in. I am going to start with filling my mind with scriptures, memorizing it, getting it in my heart and my mind and my soul, making it real. I want to have it ready to pull out when my mind starts to wander into that place that I know it should not go.

The ways that I used to handle things in my past come back into my mind frequently, and when I have done something stupid, in my eyes, I find that I am drawn to those ways to handle the disappointment in myself. I become worthless in my mind. Ok, here comes some info that maybe people didn't know, after my TT I guess a bit more of "what you didn't know about me" can come out. I used to cut myself, sadly not a new thing at all, if I did something dumb, I had to hurt myself in order to feel better. Then I was hurting myself as much as I had hurt someone else. Then the thoughts come back that everyone may be better off without me around...I couldn't hurt anyone then.

I am tired of this battle that is going on, it needs to end. I am tired of satan stepping into my brain and whispering in my heart that I am worthless and no one likes me. I am tired of the times when I make comments, or different opinions feeling like I am stupid and why on earth did I speak up. I am tired of being the "quiet" one because it is easier that way...

I am taking a stand against satan. He is no longer going to be allowed in my mind. It is going to be occupied and to full capacity by God and His Words.

Philippians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.It is time for me to encourage myself!!

(this went in a way different direction then was planned...oh well...I am going to leave it, because it is encouraging to me!!)

Psalm 34:1 I will extol the LORD at all times; his praise will always be on my lips.2 My soul will boast in the LORD; let the afflicted hear and rejoice.3 Glorify the LORD with me; let us exalt his name together.4 I sought the LORD, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.5 Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame.6 This poor man called, and the LORD heard him; he saved him out of all his troubles.7 The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them.8 Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.9 Fear the LORD, you his saints, for those who fear him lack nothing.

Proverbs 18:10 The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.

Psalm 5:1 Give ear to my words, O LORD, consider my sighing.2 Listen to my cry for help, my King and my God, for to you I pray.3 In the morning, O LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation.

Psalm 14:14 May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.

Psalm 139:1 O LORD, you have searched me and you know me. 2 You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. 3 You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. 4 Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O LORD. 5 You hem me in—behind and before; you have laid your hand upon me.6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain. 7 Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? 8 If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. 9 If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, 10 even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.11 If I say, "Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me," 12 even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you. 13 For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. 14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. 15 My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, 16 your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. 17 How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! 18 Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand. When I awake, I am still with you. 19 If only you would slay the wicked, O God! Away from me, you bloodthirsty men! 20 They speak of you with evil intent; your adversaries misuse your name. 21 Do I not hate those who hate you, O LORD, and abhor those who rise up against you? 22 I have nothing but hatred for them; I count them my enemies. 23 Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.24 See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

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comments:

I can identify with you as I used to do the same thing too. God is a gracious God and he always provides a way out. Be encouraged you are very precious in His sight. I need to be better at "living" in the Word as well

My friend, you know that I have done the same destructive things to myself. You know that it has come to mind recently. Thanks for your quick finger work thru God's word the other night. Thru this time in my life. I'll need everyone to stand with me on God's word that Psalm 139 is the one. It is what I looked for this morning then turned here and there it was again. Thanks

I think sometimes it is harder to see ourselves as God sees us, because of our past and hey we know our crazy thoughts!! whereas for someone else we don't have that inside passage to the mind and it is easier to see how God sees them.I think just being aware of this is a huge step in the right direction! and feeding those uplifting scriptures is awesome....what better thing to do then feed yourself on what God says you are!!Laying captive thoughts and imaginations that would try to exult itself higher than God!

Hello again Ruth,I've just realised that you left a comment on the bloogy house tour post.Thanks for dropping in.I think like many people I've been snowed under wtih comments, not to mention lots of blogs to visit.Good job it's the school holidays here.

What a great post I see why it's one of your favs. I too used to cut but also burn. I get embarassed I have to get blood drawn or pulse done and people can see the scars. I'm so thankfuk that's no longer me and that our Lord saved me! This is my fav post. Come by sometime. http://meandmineinasmalltown.blogspot.com/2010/04/thinking.html